As a new runner, one of the things I have to do is continually push myself to keep going. When my body and mind say, “I think I’ve had enough now”, I have to keep fighting back and go – “NO! We’re not done yet.”
Wednesdays mark my endurance runs, and yesterday was a 4 miler. Next week I get the pleasure of adding yet another mile and attempting 5 miles. I’m still shaking over the 4 miles I attempted and finished. As I continue running, I’m learning a lot about myself – good and bad.
1. I’m not a good runner – I want to give up way too easily. This is a struggle.
2. I’m slower than I want to be. I’m slower than probably 90% of the other runners out there! Luckily, I only need to worry about me – phew, and improving as I can.
3. I’m losing more weight than I thought – my running skirt started sliding down my hips at one point!
4. I found a new spot that can chafe. I need to body glide around where my shoes touch my ankles! Go figure…
5. Different fueling choices really do react differently in my body.
I’m in the training process for my first 1/2 marathon in March – and was told to start testing fuels and such now, so that by the time I get to the 1/2 marathon, I’ll know what works for me. Man, am I glad I’m taking this advice. On my shorter runs I don’t bother, but on Wednesdays, my targeted longer running days, I’ve just started to do this.
The first time I had some Clif Shot Bloks, and had no problem with them. I’ll definitely be able to use these. When I tried a GU Gel (chocolate – which the taste and texture were totally cool with me) – it went STRAIGHT to my head! I should mention I am a Diabetic, so it’s really important for me to know how these will react. With the Shot Blok, I only felt a difference in my legs where I wanted/needed it. The GU went to my head and made me feel like my bloodsugars were sky rocketing. I didn’t feel it in my legs, only in my head…go figure!
So while they may all look similar, take experienced runner’s advice, and try them out – because everyone is different. What may work for me – may not work for you, and vice versa. I’ll be trying Sport Beans next week. (I bought 4 different items to experiment with, but since I had good luck with my first attempt with the Shot Bloks, I may just rely on those for longer distances.)
Anyway, my desire to quit running after 2.5 miles is an improvement. I think I wanted to quit after 2 miles last week. Don’t worry – I kept going…kept going, kept going, kept going and hit my 4 miles. They weren’t pretty, they weren’t graceful, but they were mine. 
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